American Cities in Englisch | Schülerlexikon | Lernhelfer

San Francisco

Population: 765,000; Area: 127 km2; State: California
San Francisco is perhaps the best example of the American melting pot. Its 775,000 inhabitants come from different cultures and nationalities; South America, Asia, Europe and Africa. The term ‘melting pot’ is used to describe the process by which many different cultures combine to create a new culture. This is also the birthplace of a number of socially revolutionary movements such as: JACK KEROUAC’s (1922–1969) Beat Generation (mid-1950s), the Hippies’ Flower Power Movement (1960s) and the Gay Pride Movement(1970s).

The first recorded European to land in San Francisco was Sir FRANCIS DRAKE (1540–1596) in 1579, followed by Spanish explorers. They failed to discover San Francisco Bay, and it took another 200 years before the Spanish entered the Golden Gate, in 1775. Around 1847 gold was discovered in the hills of the Sierra Nevada. The gold rush that ensued created a population explosion bringing with it a rich variety of culture. San Francisco thus became the centre of the entertainment industry of the young nation in the 19th century. In the 20th century two major events shook San Francisco: the great earthquake of 1906 and the Great Depression of 1929.

Los Angeles

Population: 3.8 million in the City of Los Angeles (9.9 million in LA county); Area: 1200 km2 (10,600 in LA county); State: California
Los Angeles has 3.8 million inhabitants, 45.6% of them of Latino ethnicity, and belongs to the state of California. Between 5000 and 6000 BC the territory of modern day Los Angeles was inhabited by Native Americans. Europeans cruised the coast in 1542, but only in 1769 did the real flux begin, ushered in by Christian expeditions. These were missions to convert Native Americans living north of San Diego to Christianity. El Camino Real (The King’s Highway) was the route crossed by the missionaries. The missionaries established a new town in 1781, named after a saint, which would become known as Los Angeles. Forty years later the state was taken over by new landowners, known as rancheros, seeking private land. The rancho system was then created. The gold and oil discoveries led to great waves of immigration. Due to its mineral riches the state was capable of holding out through depression, despite having little water and agriculture.

Washington DC

Population: 570,000; Area: 170 km2; Region: District of Columbia
Washington DC (District of Columbia), was chosen to be the seat of Congress, because it was situated midway between the northern and southern states. By 1791 people started calling it the city of Washington after the former President GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732–1799) and so it remained. As a national capital, Washington DC is the city of grand ideals and key monuments of the USA. In Washington one can find the Capitol, where the Congress sits, and the White House, the permanent residence of the country’s President.